{"id":598500,"date":"2021-08-08T17:03:18","date_gmt":"2021-08-08T21:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=598500"},"modified":"2021-08-08T17:03:18","modified_gmt":"2021-08-08T21:03:18","slug":"five-managers-with-a-lot-to-prove-this-season-in-the-premier-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/08\/08\/five-managers-with-a-lot-to-prove-this-season-in-the-premier-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Managers With a Lot to Prove This Season in the Premier League"},"content":{"rendered":"

The return of the Premier League is moving ever closer, and some managers will be facing the toughest tests of their careers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Four clubs have welcomed new managers, and for two of them, it will be their first experience of been in charge of a Premier League club. Daniel Farke is the only manager of the three promoted clubs to have managed in the top-flight previously, while several others have lingering questions surrounding their future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From pundits on TV of those who are <\/span>sports betting on mobile<\/span><\/a>, these managers are in the hot seat for this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five Premier League Managers With a Point to Prove<\/b><\/h2>\n

Rafael Benitez – Everton<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Spaniard entered Goodison Park with a huge furore surrounding his appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some Everton<\/a> fans have said that they will be attending while the former Liverpool<\/a> manager is in charge, while others are already clamouring for his departure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, Rafael Benitez has a lot to prove to Everton fans as the new season begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

His predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti, was appointed in order to bring Champions League football to Goodison Park. However, he failed to do so, and Everton’s spending failed to bring the rewards once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benitez has had a host of problems to deal with during the off-season, none more so than in the transfer market. Everton fans, though, will still be hoping he is the man to bring European football back to the blue side of Merseyside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patrick Vieira – Crystal Palace<\/b><\/h3>\n

The appointment of Vieira was perhaps the most intriguing of the summer. Coupled with their eye-catching signings, Crystal Palace<\/a> are one to keep an eye on this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vieira has plenty of doubters, mainly due to his lack of experience as a manager still. The Frenchman has had two stints in the dugout to date with New York City FC and French side Nice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither were particularly fruitful, leading to many pointing out the huge risks of appointing the former Arsenal<\/a> midfielder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a summer of rebuilding for Palace, anything other than relegation should be considered a success, and help prove Vieira’s doubters wrong.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Manchester United\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Perhaps a left-field choice, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is perhaps the manager with the most to prove in the Premier League.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Norwegian is now entering his third full season in charge and he is still yet to bring silverware back to Old Trafford. Solskjaer has been close on several occasions, but it is something that has evaded him during his time in charge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a result, that must change this season. They have added to their squad superbly, bringing in Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, two world class additions. The prospect of further additions has not been ruled out.<\/span><\/p>\n

If silverware evades them once again this season, questions about his future at Old Trafford will be more prominent than ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas Tuchel – Chelsea<\/b><\/h3>\n

The German delivered the Champions League last season. Now he has to deliver again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many are anticipating that Chelsea<\/a> will challenge Manchester City<\/a> for the title this season, especially after their success last season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Roman Abramovich regime has been notorious for hiring and firing managers. Roberto Di Matteo’s dismal six months following their Champions League success in 2012 is the prime example of this. Thomas Tuchel does not want to follow the same fate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chelsea are yet to add a striker to their squad at the time of writing, despite interest in Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku. If they add the Belgian to their ranks, then they could rival City for the title.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dean Smith – Aston Villa\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Despite the departure of their talisman, Jack Grealish, many are tipping Aston Villa<\/a> to be the team to watch this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dean Smith’s side have developed an exciting and dangerous side. Ollie Watkins reaped the rewards in front of goal, and he has been joined by Danny Ings in attack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Villa have also two of the most threatening wide players in Europe. Emi Buendia was the stand out player in the Championship last season, while Leon Bailey registered 15 goals and 11 assists last season at Bayer Leverkusen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their spending has been eye-catching, but also wise and exciting. Dean Smith will have high expectations on him this season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>